Ousmane Dabo retires

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution midfielder Ousmane Dabo has announced his retirement from professional soccer. The 16-year professional released the following statement this morning:

“This is a very tough decision for me, and I’m frustrated to have not been able to help the Revolution more,” Dabo said. “I’ve had some physical issues that I haven’t been able to heal, so I’ve decided to retire and release the club from my contract. I very much wish the New England Revolution all of the best and thank them for everything.”

Dabo, 34, joined the Revolution in February after already sporting a distinguished playing resume. After three years with Stade Rennais to begin his professional career in the mid-1990s, Dabo spent more than a decade playing for some of the top clubs in Italy’s Serie A. He also spent three seasons in the English Premier League with Manchester City earlier this decade.

“We know this was not easy for Ousmane, but we respect the decision he's made,” Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. “He is a true professional and provided leadership to our team this year when he was on the field. He’s had a terrific career, and we wish him all the best in whatever venture he chooses next.”

Dabo began his club career with France’s Stade Rennais, where he made 40 appearances in three seasons from 1995 through 1998. In July 1998, he signed with Internazionale, where he spent six months before being loaned to Vicenza in January 1999. Following his loan, Dabo played the 1999-2000 season at Parma, before returning to France to sign with AS Monaco in the summer of 2000.

He returned to Vicenza in January 2001 to complete the season on loan, and then made a permanent move to Atalanta, where he spent the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

In the summer of 2003, Dabo signed with Lazio, where he went on to make 79 league appearances during two seasons. In the summer of 2006, he moved to England, signing with Manchester City. After two and a half seasons in Manchester, Dabo re-signed with Lazio in January 2008, where he spent the remainder of the season and the next two through July 2010.

After a six-month lay-off, he signed with the Revolution on February 11, 2011, and made three league appearances with the club, in addition to one appearance in the MLS Play-In rounds of the U.S. Open Cup.